North Myrtle Beach – October 27, 2016
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that the inshore bite has picked back up after the storm. Anglers are connecting with small “rat” reds, speckled trout, and black drum. Anglers looking to target the trout and drum should use live or dead shrimp, and the red drum will take live or cut menhaden.
Trout will also take topwaters during early mornings and late evenings.
The citation-sized red drum are still being found off the beaches and near inlets like Little River, and they will fall for menhaden on a Carolina rig.
Brandon Jadin, of Cherry Grove, and Scott Skrzydlinski, of Powder Springs, GA, with two 23 flounder caught at the Cherry Grove Pier.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that trout and redfish are starting to come back inshore, and anglers have been catching them on soft plastics, like Z-Man shrimp and Paddletailz.
There are still some bull reds around in the water, and although they will take menhaden on a Carolina rig, artificials such as Z-Man on a 3/4-1/2 oz. jig head will also do the trick.
The big reds are hanging around the bait pods, and there are also bonita mixed in with these large schools. Stingsilvers and diamond jigs are the best, but Trout Tricks have also worked on the aggressive feeders. A few cobia have been hooked in these same areas, too.
The king mackerel bite is a beach bite. Find the green water to find the fish, and troll live menhaden to connect.
Stuart Tunstall, Kevin West, and Randy Tunstall with king mackeral caught on live pogies at Boss Hog Rock off of Lockwood Folly Inlet.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that fishing in the Gulf Stream is great, with anglers connecting on a variety of fish, including grouper, African pompano, yellowtail and mutton snapper, vermilion, and triggerfish.
The wahoo bite has been good offshore as well, with blackfin tuna also in the mix. Productive waters include the Blackjack and the 100/400.
Half-day boat fishing has picked up, with black sea bass, porgies, and gray trout reported. Anglers have also connected with a few bluefish and some small sharks.
Kyle and Julie Warren, of Shallotte, with a limit of speckled trout and a flounder. They were caught using a Vudu shrimp under a popping cork in the Shallotte River.
Matt, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking speckled trout (between 16-22”) on cut bait. Anglers are also catching a lot of black drum. Most are undersized, but a few are keepers.
Those hitting the planks at night are connecting with citation-sized red drum.
The usual panfish are also being hooked, like pompano, whiting, and perch, as well as a few spots.
